Southside Bucky

Basically, you're attempting to use the Gotha in the wrong version of the game... For best results with ANY add on a/c you should be using: FE+EP+Peter01's FM pack. (Without the April 08 patch). Having said that, the Gotha FM is not included in Peter's FM update, so it still might not work exactly as you want it to, but it'll definitely perform better than using it with the 08 patch. Does yer head in, dunnit? Bucky

That's looking most excellent, Dagaith...You'd never think it was your first attempt! Great choice of plane too. Conspicuous by its absence amongst all the add on plane's available. Don't wanna sound pushy, but have you given any thought to doing the single seat and 'comic' versions as well? Whatever, I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished model. All the best. Bucky

Congratulations and welcome to the wonderful world of parenthood! Excellent schemes...Looking forward to seeing 'em!

Yeah, keep at it man...It gets easier! As Sinbad said back there: Are you gonna upload any of those skins you've made?

What do you mean; "Manually changing code (skins) with notepad"? You don't have to do that...You change the skins using the KMD interface. True, the KMD has a bit of a steep learning curve, and can be a bit awkward to use, but once you get to grips with its idiosyncrasies, you can knock out missions in no time. All the best Bucky

Yeah, they will "spawn" all joined up or on top of each other, but they'll sort themselves out within a few seconds, then fly in quite loose formation. One thing to look out for:...occasionally, you'll get a rogue AI plane (or two) that won't conform, and fly off in a different direction, with no intention of attacking the player's plane. You can try deleting that aircraft, then have another go at "re-cloning". But when that happens, I've often found that the only way to get ALL the AI a/c to do what you want is to start all over again....It can drive you up the wall sometimes! Regards. Bucky

I'm not being funny, but I've gotta admit, I was reluctant to reply 'cause I found your description a little vague. Especially that third line...But anyway, I'll have a go. First off, Are you using the KMD mission builder? If not, you should be. If so, then (as far as I'm aware), the only way to create a flight of AI planes with different skins is to do the following: Start off with just one plane, lets say a Dr.I, and place it where you want your AI flight on the map. You then set the altitude, and make as many waypoints as you require (I rarely use more than six), and adjust all other parameters pertaining to the AI flight. Once you're satisfied with everything regarding that one single Dr.I, you then create as many clones of that aircraft as you want. by RIGHT clicking on the first AI Dr.I on the list, and selecting 'Clone this aircraft'. You now have however many AI Dr.I's all with the same waypoints, altitudes etc, acting as a unit. You can then change the skin of each individual clone. Hope this helps. Bucky

Don't despair, man...It's fun changing stuff in this game. Just remember to make a copy of anything you're gonna change, before you start and you can't really go wrong. Regards. Bucky

Hi guys. Just a quick note to say my latest quick mission, depicting Werner Voss' epic final combat with 56 squadron is now available. Today being the 91st anniversary 'n all. Here's the link: http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?autoc...p;showfile=7329 On a scale of difficulty of one to ten, I'd say it was a twelve! :yes: Hope you enjoy it. Regards. Bucky

You've probably realised by now, but just in case, and for anyone else who might be wondering: Those tweaked files come with Peter01's FM pack. Regards. Bucky

You will be using Peter01's FM's, "70%" GUNDATA, and "Very Hard" AIRCRAFTOBJECT file's won't you? Silly question...Of course you will! Go for it, man! Good to see you back on the forum BTW...

Great stuff Sinbad. My favourite so far, I think :yes: Regards. Bucky

Nice one Sinbad. You're knocking these out at a great old pace now! Personally, I think the wing mounted radiator version of the D.II was the best ever Albatros fighter. Getting rid of the elephant ears must've added at least 5 or 6 mph to its performance, which was as as fast, if not faster than either the D.III or D.V. It was also structurally, much stronger than either of the later variants. Not quite as manoeuvrable maybe, but I know which one I would've preferred to make a fast dive in! Keep up the good work, man! Bucky.

Sorry JFM, the Albatros had to go...It kept dragging the SE5's away from the main event! I tried making seven or eight different versions of the same mission, attempting to coerce the Albatros to make its legendary brief appearance, then disappear. All to no avail. Frustrated me nearly to breaking point! I also tried depicting historically accurate altitudes, ie, 56 Sqn diving down on Voss, but that just resulted in instantaneous death...Not a great deal of fun. The version uploaded is the one that puts a smile on my face, even though I end up ploughing Plum Farm every time. Thanks for the comments, fella's.

File Name: 'Voss vs 56' File Submitter: Southside Bucky File Submitted: 23 Sep 2008 File Updated: 29 Mar 2009 File Category: User Made Missions A mission for First Eagles + Expansion Pack 1 + either; Nov 08 patch or Peter01 FM's pack without patch. Bucky's Quick Mission No.9: 'Voss vs 56'. Released 23/9/08. The 91st anniversary of the action depicted in this mission. ============================================================ Introduction: This Mission is a re-enactment of an actual aerial combat that took place at about 6:30pm, on Sunday, 23rd September, 1917, in the skies above Poelcapelle and Westroosebeke, about 7-8 miles NE of Ypres, in Belgium. The action involved seven SE5a's of 56 Sqn, the RFC's premier fighter unit, and Lt. Werner Voss, a 48 victory ace and a holder of the coveted Ordre Pour Le Merite (Blue Max). This epic encounter, arguably the most famous dogfight in history, has been the subject of much speculation and controversy for ninety odd years now, and shows no signs of abating any time soon. This is evidenced by the fact that even though the combat reports of all the allied pilots involved (and other aircrew that witnessed it) still exist, there are some historians and enthusiasts that think Voss had run out of fuel and/or ammunition, and even that he was trying to surrender(!) before he was killed. Whatever the truth of the matter, the allied pilots combat reports are all of the opinion that the Fokker Triplane's excellent climb capability would have allowed Voss to withdraw from the combat at any time with relative ease. Yet he chose to fight to the end... Maybe he just had a little too much confidence in his own ability? Werner Voss' life story in general, and his final combat in particular, make very interesting reading. I highly recommend the book 'September Evening', by Barry Diggens' to anyone who would like to read further on the subject. Apart from containing a detailed blow by blow account of the combat, it also includes the complete combat reports of all the allied pilots involved. ============================================================ To set the scene: At this time Voss was Staffelfuhrer of Jasta 10, based at Heule, near Courtrai. He had achieved his 48th victory that morning (23rd Sept) by shooting down a DH4. It was his first day back on the front line since going on leave on 11th of September. Probably eager to rack up his victory tally, he fatefully decided to fly one last patrol... Voss took off at approximately 17:05, in the pre-production Fokker Triplane, serial No. FI. 103/17 which he had been using since late August, and in which he had achieved his last 10 victories. At about the same time, thirty or so miles away at Estree Blanche, 56 Sqn were leaving the ground for their final patrol of the day. At 18:25, Voss encountered two SE's of 60 Sqn. The ensuing combat which lasted all of two minutes, ended with both British fighters disengaging after being severely damaged. Unfortunately for Voss, The flight of SE5a's from 56 Sqn, led by Cpt. James McCudden VC, had witnessed the brief furball and were not slow in coming to the aid of their two stricken comrades... The infamous ten minute dogfight that followed is excellently summed up in this excerpt from James McCudden's book; 'Flying Fury': "The German pilot (Voss) saw us and turned in a most disconcertingly quick manner, not a climbing nor Immelmann turn, but a sort of flat half spin. By now the German triplane was in the middle of our formation, and its handling was wonderful to behold. The pilot seemed to be firing at all of us simultaneously, and although I got behind him a second time, I could hardly stay there for a second. His movements were so quick and uncertain that none of us could hold him in sight at all for any decisive time." Inevitably though, odds of seven to one were too great, even for a pilot of Voss' prowess. And especially considering the high calibre fighter pilots he was up against. It was 2/Lt. Arthur Rhys-Davids who eventually got Voss in his sights long enough to deliver the coup de grace. Voss fell to earth just inside the British lines, NW of Frezenberg, at a place called Plum Farm. He was 20 years old. In homage to Voss, McCudden stated in his book: "I shall never forget my admiration for that German pilot, who single-handed fought seven of us for ten minutes, and also put some bullets through all of our machines. His flying was wonderful, his courage magnificent, and in my opinion he is the bravest German airman whom it has been my privilege to see fight." High praise indeed. The battle hardened 56 Sqn pilots that Voss faced that evening were all aces except for Cronyn. Indeed, by the end of the war they had amassed 172 victories between them. They are listed below with their total end of war victory numbers, the serial number, and identification letter of the SE5a they were actually flying on 23rd Sept 1917. Cpt. J.B. McCudden. (58) flew B4863 marked 'G' Cpt. G.H. Bowman. (32) flew B2 marked 'M' Lt. R.T.C. Hoidge. (27) flew B506 marked 'N'? 2/Lt. A.P.F. Rhys-Davids. (22) flew B525 marked 'I' Lt. R.S. Maybery. (21) flew B1 marked 'K' Lt. K.K. Muspratt. (8) flew A8944 marked 'H' Lt. V.P. Cronyn. (4) flew A4563 marked 'L' ============================================================ Mission guidlines: WARNING! It has to be said that it's almost impossible to survive this mission, (well, for me anyway!) and for that reason I hesitated to upload it at all. But with the 91st anniversary of Voss' demise approaching, I decided to go for it. I created it using the latest 'Peter01 FM's pack', 'Very Hard AircraftObject.ini', and '70% GunData.ini files'. Consequently, I haven't lasted more than a minute during the mission testing! I'm no great flyer though, so with a bit more ability, or without those mods?... When the mission begins, you'll be flying at approximately 6,500ft. We'll assume that the encounter with the two 60 Sqn SE's has just ended, and the 56 Sqn flight is winging its way towards you...Utilise your height advantage, and don't fly straight and level for more than a few seconds! The 56 Sqn pilots were all amazed at Voss' aerobatics...You'll have to be equally agile to have even the slightest glimmer of a chance! ============================================================ Compromises and game limitations: I had a go at including the legendary 'red nose Albatros' that featured briefly in the furball that fateful evening. However, it only distracted the SE's from giving you (Voss) their full attention. And seeing as it only played a very small part in the combat, I decided not to use it. The 56 Sqn SE5a identification letters used are all correct for the pilots involved in the combat (See above for pilot/ID list). However, on 23/9/17, 56 Sqn were still using a dumbell marking on the rear fuselage. This was changed to the more familiar white rear fuselage band on 25/9/17. The actual combat between Voss and 56 Sqn commenced at about 6:30pm, but I've had to set the mission time at 5:30, otherwise you'd be flying in the dark. I've also used a bit of artistic license regarding height advantage and the order of events, but essentially it's you (Voss) against seven enemy planes, just as it was for him. ============================================================ Mission requirements: To fly this mission as intended, you'll need the following mods and skins: Flanders terrain. By Edward. To be found in the Combat Ace, Downloads, 'Maps/Terrains' section. Werner Voss skin for the Expansion Pack Fokker Dr.I. By Gumpy. To be found in the Combat Ace, Downloads, 'WWI Aircraft Skins' section. SE5a 56 Sqn, RFC, 1917 Squadron Markings. Two versions by dhasdell. To be found in the Combat Ace, Downloads, 'WWI Aircraft Skins' section. Make sure to use the 'letters' version. Many thanks to all the above artists for their most excellent contributions to this great game. Although not essential, for extra realism and immersion I would recommend the following mods, available from the Combat Ace, Downloads site: 'Thicker, Fuller Clouds'. By ShrikeHawk. Found in: 'Maps/Terrains'. 'Environmental Mods'. Excellent mod that greatly improves the "cotton wool ball" clouds effect. 'FE Sounds'. By yours truly. Found in: 'Sound Mods'. For maximum realism I would also recommend that this mission be played with all gameplay settings set to 'Hard'. ============================================================ Installation instructions: Install the mission by unzipping the downloaded file to the following path: C:/Program Files/Thirdwire/WW1/Missions Alternatively, you can drag and drop the unzipped MSN file directly into your 'Missions' folder. ============================================================ I hope you enjoy flying this mission and find it both challenging and enjoyable enough to play it more than once. I've tried to make it as historically accurate and authentic as the game will allow. Feel free to change any of the parameters as you wish. I would welcome any suggestions or general feedback, good, bad or indifferent, via any one of the FE forums. Viel Glueck! Bucky. 23/9/08. ============================================================ References used in creating this mission: 'September Evening'... B. Diggens. 'Werner Voss'... D. Hylands. 'Flying Fury: Five Years In The Royal Flying Corps'... J. McCudden VC. 'High In The Empty Blue'...A. Revell. 'Under The Guns Of The German Aces'... N. Franks & H. Giblin. 'Who Downed The Aces In WWI'... N. Franks. 'Above The Lines'... N. Franks. F.W. Bailey & R. Guest. 'Above The Trenches'...C. Shores. N. Franks. R. Guest. 'The Jasta War Chronology'... N. Franks. F. Bailey & R. Duiven. 'The Sky Their Battlefield'... T. Henshaw. 'Royal Flying Corps Communiques 1917-18'... C. Bowyer. 'The Fokker Triplane'... A. Imrie. 'Fokker Dr.I Triplane: A WWI Legend'... P. Leaman. 'Fokker Dr.I Aces Of WWI'... N. Franks & G. VanWyngarden. 'British Aviation Squadron Markings Of WWI'... L.A. Rogers. ============================================================ ============================================================ Click here to download this file

Hi guys. I was wondering as to the possibility of replacing the observer/gunner that comes with the FE2b and BE2c for example, who, let's be honest, has a face only a mother could love,...with the rather handsome devil that comes with the RE8? Can it be done? Thanks in advance for any help given. Regards. Bucky PS. Sorry, I tried posting pictures of both but without success.

Thanks for your time fella's. Firecage. I've tried the Data.ini method, and it works OK for the pilot, but not for the Observer. Thanks anyway though. Whiteknight. I suspected that might be the case. Thanks for the confirmation. Oh, and thanks for the zombie advice too...Very handy! Looks like I'm just gonna have to put up with him then...Still, he might be pug ugly, but his shooting 'aint too bad! All the best. Bucky.

Thanks to you too Christian. The Nieuport Megapack is an excellent mod!

You're so right! :yes: I was gonna say in my last post; I'm spending more time tinkering with the files, than playing the game these days! But it's all part of the fun, eh?

YAY!!...SORTED! I copied and pasted everything from Peter's N.17 Data.ini, into the Mega Pack N.17a Data.ini, EXCEPT for the complete section for the top wing...It handles brilliantly! Thanks again Sinbad. I wouldn't have had a clue without your help. All the best. Bucky

OK, I've now managed to get a single overwing Lewis to show in game using the Nieuport 17a Data.ini (the single Lewis version) from Christians Mega Pack and the Weapons folder you uploaded. All that remains now is to get it to fly decently. Christian's N.17a FM is not compatible with the EP+Peter's version. I've tried copying and pasting sections of Peter's latest N.17 FM into the N.17a Data.ini, but the Lewis just disappears again. As you correctly noted above, any change in the FM's affects the weapons as well. I'll keep on trying though. Thanks for your perseverance Sinbad.

Well done Sinbad! It works with that DATA ini, albeit only with the twin lewis'. Any idea why the single gun won't work? Thanks for your help

No go, Sinbad. The folder you kindly uploaded gave me some weird results: A Lewis gun on each V strut?? ...This is driving me mad now! Thing is, AFAIC, this has to work with the latest Nieuport 17 FM from Peter, so I believe that would mean the DATA ini would need editing too. Is that right? Sorry for the hassle. I know you're busy on other aspects of the game ATM. Bucky

Thanks for that fella's. Very helpful. Sinbad, I don't want to put you to any trouble, but is there any chance you could make available a weapons folder with just a single Lewis? Reason being, I rarely fly anything other than RFC planes. All the best. Bucky